Washington State Football 2024: Who To Watch For, Names To Know, Key Players

Sam Taylor | Jun 25, 2024

Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) warms up during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

In an era when college football is changing every day, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the business side of the sport. What conference will WSU call home long term? Can they successfully rebuild the Pac-12? Which channel will the game be on and how much do I have to pay to watch a single game? How will athletic departments possibly pay former student-athletes enough lost NIL to make due while sustaining athletic programs???

All of these are valid concerns–and they will remain unanswered when thousands pack Gesa Field at Martin Stadium Aug. 31 for the first taste of 2024 regular season Cougar football.

College football is changing, but what is not changing is the fact that people are choosing to be Cougs. Coug fans would be well served to show up and support those who seek to win the day for Crimson and Gray.

Here are some names to know as you prepare for Cougar football.

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RELATED: How to Watch Washington State Cougar Football in 2024

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Quarterbacks John Mateer and Zevi Eckhaus

The first play of the April Spring Game certainly turned heads when redshirt sophomore QB John Mateer handed the ball off, and watched it be chucked once, then twice back to him, setting up a 75-yard touchdown throw to tight end Billy Riviere III.

In the spring game, Mateer completed 11 of 24 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns while senior Bryant transfer Zevi Eckhaus completed 19 of 30 passes for 196 yards and two TDs.

Both QBs struggled with interceptions during spring practice.

Mateer took the lead in the spring competition, but head coach Jake Dickert did not name a starter and joked that he may not declare a starter until the first game day.

The best Coug squads have been able to run the ball with authority. The Cougs had Rueben Mayes, their all-time program rushing yards leader and Pullman resident on the sidelines as a guest coach for the Crimson and Gray Game, a game which saw an early enrollee steal the show.

Wayshawn Parker (RB)

Parker, a true freshman from Sacramento, California chose to forgo his final semester of high school to enroll early at WSU to participate in spring practice. He got three touches in the spring game, but turned it into 83 all-purpose yards with a 40-yard run and a 42-yard touchdown catch, emerging as the brightest spot in WSU’s offense.

Djouvensky Schlenbaker (RB)

Schlenbaker enters his third year on the Palouse after a standout high school career in Bellingham, Washington. In limited action through 13 games, he has gained 196 yards on 37 touches and garnered 32 yards on five catches and a touchdown. With the second-most in-game experience at the position behind senior Dylan Paine, Schlenbaker can be a factor for the Cougs.

Kyle Williams (WR)

The most experienced WSU wideout enters his second year on the Palouse and fifth year of college football following a three-year UNLV career. Williams was responsible for 61 catches, 842 yards and six touchdowns in 2023, including a one-handed snag in the corner of the endzone during the Apple Cup in Husky Stadium.

Against familiar competition with seven Mountain West opponents and the Huskies in Seattle on the schedule, Williams will undoubtedly be a highly involved weapon in Wazzu’s 2024 offense.

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RELATED: 4 Transfers That Could Have a Big Impact for WSU Football in 2024

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Kris Hutson (WR)

Hutson was the second-leading receiver two years in a row for the Cougs’ former Pac-12 rival Oregon Ducks before seeing his role significantly scaled back in 2023.

With a fresh start on the Palouse, Hutson will get another crack at the Huskies and a chance to set new career highs and create a pro football career.

Billy Riviere III (TE)

Billy Riviere III was on the receiving end of Mateer’s Spring Game-opening 75-yard touchdown pass. He became the first tight end to play for WSU since 2011 when he took the field in WSU’s 2022 week one win over Idaho. Riviere’s long flowing Thor-like locks already make him easy to spot on the Gridiron and Cougar faithful should keep an eye on him.

Christian Hilborn (LG)

Hilborn will be an offensive line starter for a third straight year. He showed tremendous growth in 2023 on a unit that was heavily criticized for its role in WSU’s six-game slump. Hilborn garnered an 89.4 pass-blocking grade in WSU’s loss to Oregon and stood up to a National runner-up Washington Husky front seven. He’ll get another shot against the Huskies and work with a QB who figures to spend more time passing from the pocket.

Kyle Thornton (LB)

Thornton was a finalist for the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the most outstanding NCAA football player who began his career as a walk-on. Thornton walked on to Mike Leach’s WSU Cougs prior to the 2019 season and earned a scholarship in 2021. He made his first career start in the 2022 LA Bowl, and in 2023 became a regular starter. He enters 2024 as one of the most experienced players on the team, having seen three head coaches entering his sixth year of college football.

Taariq (Buddah) Al-Uqdah (LB)

Al-Uqdah was an All Ocean League player at Inglewood High School. He chose WSU over 2024 opponents New Mexico and UW as well as former Pac-12 schools Colorado and Arizona.

After sitting out his first year on the Palouse due to injury, Al-Uqdah recorded his first collegiate interception in the final home game of the season versus Colorado. He racked up five tackles and one for loss at Washington the following week.

The top-rated recruit could be key to the Cougar defense in 2024.

Raam Stevenson (EDGE)

Stevenson has been biding his time during three seasons behind now-NFL rookies Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone Jr. The dynamic defensive duo were responsible for countless key Cougar moments, but their pro departure opens up an opportunity for Stevenson and company to step up.

In 2023, he recorded 16 tackles (six solo). In the spring, he turned heads and may contend for a starting role.

Tyson Durant (S)

The fifth-year Akron transfer turned heads in the spring with a solid showing. In 39 games at Akron, he tallied 98 tackles. In a spring scrimmage, he hauled in an interception.

“He’s been a really big bright spot,” Dickert said. “I don’t wanna heap too much praise because it’s a long journey, but there’s not a moment so far that’s been too big for him. He’s learning a new defense, even a new position, and he’s just really adapted to everything that we’ve had.” 

Jamorri Colson (CB)

Colson almost made the play of the season during the Apple Cup. With the game tied at 21 in the final minute, the undefeated Huskies marched down the field thanks to a gutsy fourth down trick play and a roughing of the passer penalty. Colson lept in the air in the red zone, juggling an errant throw from Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. only for it to slip between his fingers. The Cougs could not force a turnover and instead watched the Huskies kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.

A reserve corner for most of the season, Colson could see a starting role in 2024 after one year in Pullman.

Dean Janikowski (kicker)

Janikowski has been a Coug for six years and has inspired thousands. Through his ‘More Than a Kick’ campaign, Dean raises money for his family’s Heather Janikowski Foundation with every successful field goal and PAT. He raises money to support those with cancer in honor of his late mother, Heather Janikowski.

In three years as the Cougar’s starting kicker, Janikowski has made 35 field goals with a long of 55 yards.

The beauty of college football is that the unlikeliest of heroes can prevail. These Cougs should have your eye now, but don’t be surprised when someone you may never have heard of plays hero for the Cougs.